STUDIO D2D -LISA AND JEFF

STUDIO D2D EVENT CENTER
GRAND RAPIDS, MI

Congratulations Lisa and Jeff!  What a beautiful day in downtown Grand Rapids! This was such an elegant and laid back celebration! Lisa and Jeff met at a construction management class. They were together for two and a half years before Jeff and the kiddos proposed. They bought land for their new house and while taking the kids there to check things out, they all got on their knees and asked, "Will You Marry Us?"

My favorite parts about their day... Definitely the humorous poses that both Jeff and Lisa would surprise me with, making me laugh the whole day. Jeff's face when they entered the reception to celebrate with their nearest and dearest was hysterical.  I loved the closeness of the families. It was a mish mash of little girls with grandmas and grandpas, uncles, aunts... I LOVED that they somehow got The Killer Flamingos to play! How cool was that?! That was a blast from my past, on the east side. I also was bent over laughing at the uncles dancing. The couple at the end of this preview... Their faces! Fearlessly gettin' down! It was hilarious.

Since I gotta give it to amazing women entrepreneurs, please make sure you check out Lisa's shop, https://www.ellembee.com for creative fashion and jewelry finds! 

Best wishes to your wonderful new family! Thank you so much for choosing me to document your story. 
Enjoy the preview:

Amway Grand Plaza- Kathy and Donnie

Amway Grand Plaza, Grand Rapids MI

CONGRATULATIONS TO KATHY AND DONNIE!! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL, ELEGANT CELEBRATION OF THEIR STORY, AT THE AMWAY GRAND PLAZA.

THEY MET AT THEIR 1ST CLASS, MONDAY MORNING THEIR FRESHMAN YEAR, AT GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY. SEVEN YEARS LATER, DONNIE PROPOSED AT THE FAMILY'S CABIN IN TORCH LAKE. THEY WERE COOKING AND EATING IN THE KITCHEN WHEN DONNIE ASKED KATHY TO GRAB THE CHAMPAGNE OUT OF THE FRIDGE. WHEN SHE TURNED AROUND, HE WAS ON HIS KNEE WITH THE RING. AWWW. I KNOW, RIGHT?! 

IN CASE YOU MISSED THEIR FUN ENGAGEMENT SESSION AT THE DEQUINDRE CUT, YOU CAN CHECK IT OUT HERE:

http://lookatthebiggerpicture.com/blog/engagement-session-kathy-and-donnie

THE WEDDING DAY WAS SPECTACULAR. WE STARTED ON THE ROOFTOP FOR THEIR FIRST LOOK, OVERLOOKING THE RIVER AND DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS. SUCH SWEET MOMENTS WITH THIS SWEET COUPLE. THROUGH THE CEREMONY AND THE REST OF THE DAY, YOU COULD FEEL THE LOVE COMING FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY FOR THESE TWO.  JUST GENUINE, WARM AND LOVING PEOPLE ALL AROUND. 

KATHY CHOSE TO HONOR HER VIETNAMESE HERITAGE THROUGH HER OUTFIT AT THE RECEPTION AND THE TEA CEREMONY BEFORE THE WEDDING.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS ON THIS DAY... CATCHING HER DAD NUMEROUS TIMES LOOKING AT HER WITH SUCH CHERISHED LOVE.
ANOTHER FAVORITE WAS DONNIE FIDGETING WITH HIS HANDS THE WHOLE CEREMONY. IT WAS REALLY CUTE. 

BEST WISHES TO YOU BOTH ON THE NEW ADVENTURES! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CHOOSING ME TO TELL YOUR STORY. ENJOY YOUR PREVIEW:

Rustic Backyard Wedding-Sara and Holly

Conklin, MI

Congratulations to these lovely ladies!! I am so honored that I had the opportunity to capture this day for Sara and Holly. These beautiful ladies met in their residency program, were together for two years before the proposal, and ended up living in Alaska! They BOTH proposed. Holly chose Christmas day, a picnic and a walk in the woods. Sara chose a weekend away, at a B&B in Seattle. She "stumbled through her words", full of emotion. I love that they both had to propose.

I believe our initial consult was over the phone while they were camping. I knew I liked them right then and there. They are unsure where they will land after the bit in Alaska (maybe Hawaii?!!), but I am sure their adventures will be amazing and keep going strong.

The wedding day began in fun (and sun!! This was the hottest day of the year! Wowza) as the group was getting ready at the gorgeous farmhouse. Lots of jokes, funny faces, and silly times. 

My favorite part of the day was actually the exchanging of the vows. If I could get a copy of those words... So honest. So true to love. I don't usually get to pay attention, as I am shooting, but I just had to stop and listen. They each talked of humility, insecurities we all carry when joining hearts, comforting and nourishing those insecurities in each other, and the honesty of love. They talked about staying true to yourself, holding onto your inner strength and self-love when finding a partner to share your world. It was absolutely brilliant and heartfelt, and I am not doing their words justice. These intelligent and insightful women could easily have been writers. 

I am so happy for you both! Thank you for choosing me to tell your story. Here is a preview of the day...